Where to go for Masters: Prestigious and expensive or Average and affordable? HELP!

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(edited 8 years ago)

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Tricky really. I "upgraded" to a better uni after my undergrad and I think it fared me well. Not because the new uni was better but because my CV showed I had experienced different unis and so had a good knowledge of working in different environments.

Reply 2

ChloeRen

Original post by JamesManc

Thanks for reply,
Did you go straight to employment after post grad?
I agree it looks better on a CV, do you think this is how it would be looked at with regards to a PhD application?
Thanks,
Chloe.

Reply 3

JamesManc

Original post by ChloeRen

Thanks for reply,
Did you go straight to employment after post grad?
I agree it looks better on a CV, do you think this is how it would be looked at with regards to a PhD application?
Thanks,
Chloe.

Yes I think so because I am going to be doing a PhD this Oct and think it helped.

Reply 4

ChloeRen

Original post by JamesManc

Yes I think so because I am going to be doing a PhD this Oct and think it helped.

Hmm

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 5

Zefiros

Are you making a fuss about 1500 pounds? In the long run that is nothing. At all. So, if there is any way you could loan that, you should definitely make your decision without regarding the costs.

Reply 6

QHF

Original post by ChloeRen

Any advice is appreciated and I'd be so grateful for any help!! Feeling pretty clueless about this all! Hope I have made myself clear. Thanks. Chloe.

That's a tough one. Have you looked in detail into the employment prospects of people with postgraduate degrees in English? Most of us don't wind up working in academia, and the degrees themselves don't normally enhance your earning capacity. So it's a fairly risky thing to get into and it's worth going into it with your eyes open if you do decide you want to do it.

With postgraduate work sometimes the reputation of a particular department or supervisor can weigh more -- within academia, not outside it -- than the university that awards the degree. Northumbria might not have a stellar departmental reputation for English, but are there any departmental specialisations or particular academics working in the department who would have some wider recognition? If you haven't already, it might be worth finding a lecturer you trust to give you a straight answer, and having a conversation with them about your choices. Of course, it depends on the available people, but when I was an undergraduate the people at my BA institution were prepared to have very honest discussions with me about other places where I might want to do postgraduate study instead (because of my particular specialism) -- and about the risks involved. They might also have ideas about other possible sources of funding -- I'm afraid the funding situation for humanities masters courses is a bit of a wasteland at the moment but there is a tiny amount out there which can be won if you're very very lucky and have exactly the right kind of project. While you're at it, you could ask them about what academia is like as a career, and how competitive entry into it is.

Look very carefully at the loan Northumbria offer, too -- if, like me, you're not a numbers person then find a friend who is and go through it with them.

I'd also note, and I don't know whether this is an option or not for you, that in my experience there is no prejudice against masters or PhD applicants who have taken a year or two out to work and save up money.

I hope some of this is useful advice.

Reply 7

ChloeRen

Original post by Zefiros

Are you making a fuss about 1500 pounds? In the long run that is nothing. At all. So, if there is any way you could loan that, you should definitely make your decision without regarding the costs.

...

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 8

ChloeRen

Original post by QHF

I hope some of this is useful advice.

Thanks very much for your response.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 9

Zefiros

Original post by ChloeRen

Making a fuss about 1500 pounds??
If you mean the difference between paying my 2000 at northumbria and paying the 3500 at newcastle..
The 2000 at northumbria would be covered by a post grad loan which they offer, whereas Newcastle I would have to find the money.

That is exactly why I said that "if there is any way you could loan that".

Reply 10

threeportdrift

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by ChloeRen

..........

Is your ambition to achieve something that has a competitive entry with distinctive requirements? (yes, a PhD, requiring academic excellence and/or practical experience of similar quality)

(P1) Your undergrad degree isn't likely to set you on a highly competitive path

If you choose the less competitive PG then you are going to have to bring something else to compete against those with more competitive UG and PG degrees. An excellent research proposal and excellent references are unlikely to be enough, most candidates with strong UG and PG degrees will also have those as well. So you have to question whether you have anything else relevant to bring.

If not, then assuming the initial ambition is true, going to the more prestigious institution is probably a stronger tactic.

What you can do in practice, ie afford, is a different question. But if you go to the less competitive institution you should do so with your eyes open about your chances and what else you might have to bring to your application for a PhD, especially a funded one.

Reply 11

redferry

Original post by ChloeRen

If money is a struggle why don't you consider taking the course part time or taking a year out to work? I'm su're even in a minimum wage job you could save 1500 pounds. Theres no hurry :smile:

Reply 12

1775339

I'm having this issue too. Lincoln have asked me to stay and do my LL.M. with them, alumni discount makes it £5000. I have an offer from Utrecht who are light years better and that'd only cost £1200. On the other hand, I could go for a more recognised traditional English university which would be more expensive but perhaps better recognised.
Ah decisions.

Reply 13

Josb

Original post by ChloeRen

If you want to do a PhD later, choose Newcastle.
Moreover they have a lot of bursaries, which are clearly better than a loan:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/search/list/nupgs15
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/search/list/pybus

Reply 14

Josb

Original post by alexgilder

Original post by Josb

I add that 111 scholarships for taught masters and worth 10K each is an impressive number; moreover they are only for UK students. So you definitely have a chance there. The second scholarship is for female students from Newcastle, so you're even more likely to get that one.

Anyway, you should (must) apply to both, and see the outcome. You will pick the uni that will give you the best funding options.

Reply 15

gutenberg

I would agree with threeportdrift about moving on to a better university. It shows progression in your academic ability, and a willingness to embrace challenges, which staying at your undergrad institution definitely does not show, especially when it is a weaker university in general. I moved universities for my master's degree, and I think it helped enormously with getting PhD funding afterwards. I totally understand your concerns about financing, but if you are serious about PhDs and academia, I think it would harm your chances if you stayed at Northumbria.

Reply 16

ChloeRen

Thanks everyone for all your replies

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 17

sj27

Original post by ChloeRen

You still have to pay the £2000, just after not before, and with interest, if it is a loan. What are the conditions about how quickly you have to start paying back after you graduate? What if it's hard to find a job? Do repayments get deferred if you do a PhD?

Seems to me taking a year out to save up might be a better option. I agree that you should apply for both, especially as there are scholarships on offer at Newcastle.

Reply 18

bownessie

Original post by ChloeRen

Hi,
In my final year at Northumbria studying Literature and Journalism and in a bit of a predicament.
I know after this year I want to do a masters in English Literature but I am worried about where.
My options:

1. Stay at Northumbria as they are offering 10 grand post grad loans and I would be eligible for alumni discount also of at least 25% as I know i won't get lower than a 2.1. Therefore my masters wouldn't cost more than 2 grand (i believe, however my maths skills are not to be trusted) and i would have the loan to cover that.

2. Try and go to Newcastle uni as they are obviously a much better ranking university especially for their English department. However, I would be eligible for NO discount and the masters would cost £5500. I think they might offer 2 grand scholarships but then I would still be needing 3.5, obviously money which i don't have and would have to find.

The bottom line of my problem is... Is it better to go to a higher ranking university and paying extortionate amount, or do I stay at Northumbria where I am settled and have financial perks?
I am torn as I am UNSURE of whether it is important to have a masters from a more renowned establishment??
I hope to move onto a PhD after my masters eventually, so would where I do a masters affect this?
...

Any advice is appreciated and I'd be so grateful for any help!! Feeling pretty clueless about this all! Hope I have made myself clear. Thanks. Chloe.

I would consider Durham if I was you as well- it is one of the best departments in the country (don't know if you could get in with a 2.1).

I think you've got to look at the courses and see what most fits with your research interests- if your real interest is 12th century pottery erotica and Newcastle doesn't do it, upgrading may be somewhat redundant. Equally, however, it is generally seen as a good opportunity to 'upgrade' between UG and MSc and if Newcastle does cover your interests I'd do that. If you are interested in doing a PhD and Newcastle is a bit too expensive you could always do a part-time masters! (Though not if you want to live in Newcastle university accomodation, because they don't like us part-time postgrads :'()

Reply 19

Gnomes&Knights

Always go for the best university. Don't let tuition fees stop you. For you I would say the best places for Masters would be Oxbridge, UCL, Durham, York, Warwick and Queen Mary.